Classic Buckeyes

Buckeyes are a poisonous nut that grow on Ohio’s famed state tree. Also, weirdly, and probably better known, they are the mascot of Ohio State University. Regardless, it’s a huge deal in Ohio. A very classic holiday treat in Ohio is to make peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate that look like the nut… but not poisonous.

In a big ole bowl or your stand mixer bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter.

Slowly add in powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. You’ll know when your peanut butter mixture is ready when you can pull off about a tablespoon and easily roll it into a ball. If it’s sticking to your hand too much, you need to add more powdered sugar. If it’s just a little too soft, you can put your dough in the refrigerator for an hour or so to make it a little stiffer.

Roll the dough into balls and place on wax-paper lined baking sheets, about an inch apart. Refrigerate in ball form for an hour.

Remove your balls from your fridge. Using a toothpick, dip the balls into the chocolate, leaving a bit of the peanut butter showing on the top… like the scalp of a balding man. Place back onto the wax paper.

Repeat until all of your buckeyes have been dipped. Go back over the toothpick holes with a butter knife to smooth them over.

If your house is warm or they aren’t setting up right away, pop them back in the fridge for a half hour.

Fontina has an Ohio heart and Philly spunk. She loves giving you recipes for hearty food, pop-culture puns and a hell of a lot of craft beer. You can find her in the kitchen, at the bar, on Twitter or marathoning episodes of Shin Chan or Bob's Burgers online.